An Evaluation of the Axial Bearing Capacity of Piles in Soft Cohesive Soils Using Standard Methods and Numerical Simulation
Received: 2 November 2025 | Revised: 2 January 2026 and 20 January 2026 | Accepted: 27 January 2026 | Online: 13 March 2026
Corresponding author: Tuan Anh Nguyen
Abstract
This study focuses on evaluating the axial bearing capacity of piles in soft, cohesive soils, which is a critical issue for construction projects in Vietnam's coastal plains. The following four methods were compared: the design of pile foundations (Vietnam standard TCVN 10304:2014), the highway bridge design specification (Vietnam standard TCVN 11823:2017), the , the Standard Penetration Test (SPT)-based Schmertmann method, and the finite element simulation method using Plaxis 3D. The results revealed significant differences among the methods. That is, the design of pile foundations and the highway bridge design specification showed axial capacities of 85.5 T and 87.8 T, respectively, which are higher than the 76.5 T value obtained from the static load test, indicating a conservative design approach. The Schmertmann method had the lowest value (66.7 T), while the Plaxis 3D simulation agreed with the experimental results (82.0 T), with a deviation of 7%, demonstrating the accuracy of Plaxis 3D in modeling soil-pile interaction. The correction factor (Fhc) ranged from 0.871 to 1.147, reflecting discrepancies between theoretical models and actual soil behavior. This study proposes adjusting Vietnamese design standards to reflect the geotechnical characteristics of soft coastal soils, improving the safety and economic efficiency of pile foundation design.
Keywords:
reinforced concrete pile foundation, bored pile, pile bearing capacity, SchmertmannDownloads
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